Poacher's Ridge

Merlot 2018

$34.00

A Great Southern Merlot

WINEMAKING

Fruit is harvested and crushed into small open fermenters. The cap is plunged by hand three to four times a day to obtain gentle extraction of fine grained and silky tannins. Post fermentation the wine is run off into French oak barrels, 25% being new, for 15 months maturation. The wine is pumped into tank prior to bottling before being gently fined (egg white) and filtered.

Picked by hand 22nd March 2018

COLOUR

Medium red colour with great depth.

AROMA

Plum fruits dominate aromas, and are backed by typical Merlot creaminess and subtle French oak characters.

PALATE

Lovely mid weighted palate with great balance of plum fruits and tight structure. Fine tannins, cedary French oak and balanced acidity give the wine length and drive and a long elegant finish.

CELLARING

Enjoy over the next 5 years.

AWARDS

94pts — James Halliday Wine Companion 2021
92pts — Amanda Yallop, The Real Review 2020
92pts — Ray Jordan, The West Australian Wine Guide 2021
91+pts — Cambell Mattinson, The Wine Front 2021

REVIEWS

"Poacher's Ridge Merlot is always at, or near, the top of the tree."

— James Halliday

“Hand-picked, crushed and destemmed into overhead fermenters, 7 days post ferment maceration, matured in French oak (20% new) for 16 months. Elegant medium-bodied wine with very good varietal character on show. Purple and red berry fruits, good oak maturation.”

— Halliday Wine Companion 2021

“Indigo-violet in colour. Scents of sweet smelling ripe plum, fruitcake and a hint of mint. The body is full, rich both in flavour and texture, lashes of plump damsons and sweet spices. Ample, ripe tannin and a warm, lengthy finish.”

— Amanda Yallop, The Real Review 2020

“A delightfully elegant and most stylish medium-bodied merlot from this very good year. Dominant plummy fruit with a cherry lift more evident on the nose. Muted fruitcake and currant characters work into the mix. Chalky, fine tannins and a well-judged use of oak complete things..”

— Ray Jordan

“Oak plays a major role here, adding boost, but the fruit itself is not overwhelmed and overall, for all that, it’s a wine that somehow manages to feel both effortless and elegant. Pencil, plum, peppercorn and cedar flavours work their way persuasively through the palate. In short, it’s a good drink.”

— Cambell Mattinson, The Wine Front

PRODUCTION

251 cases